40X marks the spot for world number one PJ DELOCHE

Grabbing gold at the end of this week would be a step up from that second place in China two weeks ago, and from the silver he won at the Cali 2013 World Games.

That dream of a win on Colombian soil is within PJ DELOCHE’s grasp after taking the top compound men’s seed after the Medellin 2014 ranking round with 712 points.

“Not perfect, but not bad,” said the humble Frenchman of his score. “I had a bit of trouble at the beginning of qualification but by the end I was feeling pretty good.”

DELOCHE did put 40 of his arrows into the X10 – the very central (nearly invisible) grey circle in the middle of the 10 ring: “It’s the first time I’ve hit that 40X mark on a ranking round.”

It was three more Xs ahead of the USA’s Reo WILDE and eight more than his teammate Bridger DEATON – who both shot 710/720, to finish second and third respectively.

Over the last few events, DELOCHE has made himself the one to beat, something he attributes to the hard work he’s put in since the silver (again) medal he won at the Belek 2013 world championships last year. 

In Medellin, he had some strong words for his peers on the archery field.

“Now I’ve reached this level,” he said of the 40X. “I’ll reach the level again, more easily, faster and I’ll be more accurate.”

See scores from qualification at the second stage of the 2014 Archery World Cup at Medellin 2014.